COLONIAL ITEMS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IV, Issue 183, 15 July 1864, Page 6 (Supplement)

COLONIAL ITEMS.

(From the Weekly News, July 9.) Thebe has been no warlike event of importance since our last. The natives of Tauranga do not appear to be showing themselves again in force; small parties only having been seen by our troops while on reconnoitring expeditions. The Ngatiporous, and other East Coast natives, threaten an almost immediate attack upon the tribes at Maketu, whose services in our favor during the war have been very great. There is a detachment of the 68th L. 1., and of Waikato Militia, stationed at Maketu, together with a gun detachment of the Eoyal Artillery, and one Armstrong field gnu. Judging from the past, therefore, we should say that the rebels will meet with a warm reception it they again venture across the Waihi. It is to be regretted that Beckham, the old fighting chief of Maketu, should have fallen, as his example and experience would have been most valuable in case the rebels carry out their threat. It appears that the “fanatics” have again threatened Wanganui. We apprehend little from this threat, as both the friendly natives and Europeans are in a complete state of defence. The defection of Wi Tako must likewise help to turn the scales in our favor. By the Prince Alfred, which arrived at the Manukau yesterday from Taranaki, we learn that Colonel Warre expected the town to be attacked by a body of 1,200 rebels, and had sent up a despatch to that effect to Auckland. The head of Captain Lloyd had been recovered from the Wanganui natives, and buried at Taranaki. Considerable excitement has been created by the terms of Mr. Cardwell’s despatch, but although unfavorable to the Colony, it has not affected the value of property. It is shrewdly guessed that the new Colonial Secretary wrote as certain gentlemen in this Colony suggested to him ; and the result is that Sir George Grey has received a despatch which is as contradictory as its author appears to have been ignorant of his subject. We shall see whether Mr. Cardwell is prepared to go the length of suspending the Constitution Act, which must be done before Sir George Grey can do all that he has been instructed to do, and we shall likewise see whether the Colony will submit to such arbitrary measures. We have had responsibility in native matters forced upon the Colony by the Duke of Newcastle, and withdrawn, or attempted to be withdrawn, by Mr. Cardwell, his successor, within a twelvemonth. We have had a solemn national compact deliberately broken ; and all because a number of gentlemen here, who have a mania in favor of Maori independence, and an abhorrence of the establishment of law and order, have got the ear of the new Minister. An Otago paper contains an account of the expedition to the West Coast of that Province;] and Canterbury. The explorers,

who reached Lake Wakatipu in the last stage of exhaustion from hunger and fatigue, assert that they have found a habitable country “of immense extent, possessing lakes, rivers, gold, minerals, copper, timber, and last, not least, agricultural land.” Doubtless, measures will be taken by the Provincial Governments concerned, as soon as spring renders travelling practicable in those regions, to test the statements made, and if they are found true, to open up the hew country. The news received from Australia during the week contains several important items. Details are given of a visit of bushrangers under Morgan to a station in New South Wales, where, although not the slightest resistance was made, Morgan, in pure wantonness, killed one man and wounded another. The men who made the attempt on the bank at Collingwood had been fully committed for trial. The death of Mr. Heales, member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, is announced ; Mr. Grant is mentioned as his successor as the Minister for lands.